This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: OLNEY Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2ZB.2ACE/336 Message Board Post: The Dufur Dispatch, Dufur, OR., January 3, 1912, page 1 LIFE SKETCHES OF EARLY PIONEERS Personal Recollections of Some of the Builders of the Inland Empire By Rev. G.W. Kennedy I now take great pleasure in giving new a short pen sketch of one of Oregon's native sons; for a while a resident of Eastern Oregon, Mr. Fredrick H. Balch. His name will be forever associated with that remarkable book, the Bridge of the Gods. He wrote other books; became a minister of the gospel at the age of 21 and after a hard pioneer service on the coast came to Hood River where organized the Congregational church and built the building which is still occupied, called the Riverside Church. He and I were at the same school; the Pacific University of Forest Grove. F.H. Balch was born at Lebanon, Oregon, in 1861. He took to literature, especially along historical lines. He began writing poetry when at the age of 13. He had an intense interest in the history of Pioneer Oregon, even going beyond, into the legendy, and studied with great pains the Indian lore. The learning the became the great ambition of his life and gave him much knowledge of the Indian habits, traditions, religious beliefs, etc.. After much investigation among the Indian tribes he became assured of the one time existence of the 'bridge of the Gods' a natural bridge spanning the Columbia river at the Cascade falls. The book's title is naturally embellished which much that must be regarded as romantic, but at all points hinged onto the fact. It cannot be regarded as fictitious literature. It seems to be born of inspiration, but really came from a genius hard at work. No other work in the history of Oregon will outlive this. He wrote other books, some of which are still in the manuscript. He wrote "Tanaskat," a story of Oregon in 1818; "Crossing the Plains," and "Olalla." He died at Portland in 1891, greatly lamented by his many friends. Another name written high in Oregon's Roll of Fame. Let me pass from this character to a remarkable contrast. I speak of Col. Nathan Olney. This man could be classed with Joe Meek, Kit Carson and Jim Bridges. Indeed he was the Jim Bridges of Oregon. Some of your readers may remember him. He was one of the builders of Wasco county. He took the first donation land claim and settled on it in 1847; sold it and took another on 10-mile creek; then another on 5-mile. I first saw him in 1853, while traveling as an emigrant lad across the plains. I well remember his singular appearance -- tall, soldierly, polite, handsome. He had married among the Indians, hence he reigned as king among them. He held office in Wasco county from its organization. He had the intelligence and education sufficient to hold any office. In 1853 the Indian war came, the great Cayuse war. Olney took command of the company at The Dalles and marched with Col. Kelly to final battle in the Walla Walla valley. Old Peo-Peo-Mox-Mox was commander of the Indian forces and had concentrated his forces for a final struggle. Kelly marched out from The Dalles in February, 1856. He first went to Wallula and found the fort destroyed. He then pursued the course of the Walla Walla river to near Touchet, a tributary. Here he met Mox-Mox with three of his braves, a flag of truce and high proposal to treat for peace. He told Col. Kelly to march to the north a few miles and come on to the river through an approach to his camp; that on the morrow he would have a big dinner ready for him, then the council would follow. Guiding the soldiers they soon came into and on down a steep gulch, rimmed on either side by precipitous ledges. Olney was the first man to suspicion treachery. He told Col. Kelly that if he ventured futher he would b! e ambushed. The colonel saw the situation and called a halt. The Indians began to fire from the rimrock but the soldiers, seizing the old chief and his companion, retreated to open ground. Next day began a three day's fight which resulted in final rout of the Indians. Mox-Mox - one of the mightiest of Indian warriors - was killed. The victory of that battle; the peace which soon came; his knowledge of Indian life and his bravery, cannot be overestimated. Wasco county ought to build a monument to his memory. Again a remarkable contrast when I write the name of Hon. A.G. Wilson. Some remember him; may have heard of him. He was known everywhere in the early days by the familiar name of Joe Wilson. His name will be forever associated with the legal history of Eastern Oregon. When the counties of Baker, Union and Grant were organized he held the first circuit court sessions as Presiding Judge. It was my privilege to attend the first session of court held in Baker county. It was held in a large log building in the booming mining town of Auburn then the county seat. And what a session. The famous Quigley case was on. Judge Wilson was clearly master of the whole tangled case, and of all that came on during those border ruffian-darevevil times. Mr. Wilson was born in New Hampshire in 1829. The family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1828. He graduated at Marietta college and then after a law course came in 1852 to Oregon. He began the practice of law and rapidly rose through various positions until he became Judge of the Supreme Court. In 1872 he was elected to Congress and while visiting his Alam Mater to deliver a college address he was stricken with paralysis and died. In his death Oregon lost one of its ablest statesman, and most remarkable men. His rise was a steady stride; marked with ability and genius, such as made him unique. He had no natural rivals. Eastern Oregon felt his inspiration and he left impressions to be read by coming generations. He was a friend - a companion. He was great, whether you met him in mountain passes, on horseback, or on court days. His work, his heroism, his character, will forever be imprinted upon all that Oregon has become and is destined to be. His son, Hon. F.W. Wilson, lives i! n The Dalles. Also his estimable wife and daughters. This was posted for reference only. I am not related to, nor am I researching this family. If you have additional information about what's mentioned above, please post it as a reply to this message.